Sport

Tuqiri dropped for Wallabies season opener

19:06 pm on 2 June 2009

Australia's long-serving rugby winger Lote Tuqiri has been dropped from the Wallabies for their season opener against the Barbarians on Saturday.

Coach Robbie Deans has handed the wing spots to Lachie Turner and Drew Mitchell.

Stirling Mortlock's the captain.

The highly-paid Tuqiri has been a regular in the Wallabies for six seasons since switching from rugby league but he had a subdued Super 14 season with the New South Wales Waratahs.

He may have paid a price for their lacklustre attack - he scored just two tries.

Australia: Adam Ashley-Cooper, Lachie Turner, Stirling Mortlock (capt), Berrick Barnes, Drew Mitchell, Matt Giteau, Luke Burgess, Richard Brown, George Smith, Matt Hodgson, Nathan Sharpe, James Horwill, Al Baxter, Stephen Moore, Benn Robinson. Res: Tatafu Polota-Nau, Ben Alexander, Dean Mumm, David Pocock, Josh Valentine, Quade Cooper, James O'Connor.